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Luther Lecture 2010
We are pleased to announce the 35th Luther Lecture

"Daring to be Global Citizens: De-radicalising Christian-Muslim Relations "
Dr Roland Miller
20 September, 2010

Rex Schneider Auditorium, Luther College, University of Regina 

The 2010 Luther Lecture is provided in part through a generous grant from the members of FaithLife Financial and the James Kurtz Memorial Trust Fund.

Film Credit: Ben Lies

About the speaker

Dr Roland Miller is an internationally known Islamicist with a specialty in Indian Islam. He is the leading authority on the eight million Mappila Muslims of the state of Kerala, India. His book entitled Muslim Friends: Their Faith and Feeling is considered foundational for the subject and is a university textbook in India.  His forthcoming book Mappila Muslim Culture: A Symbol of Change looks at this group in modern times and considers the deep significance of their cultural story as a sign of hope in the world.  Dr Miller, an ordained Lutheran missionary, and his wife Mary Helen, a social worker, lived and worked in Kerala for 23 years between 1952 and 1976.  They served under the appointment of the Board for World Missions, Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod, and within the India Evangelical Lutheran Church, carrying out various pastoral and administrative duties.  Dr Miller helped establish two hospitals and developed deep, personal relationships, which continue to inform his ministry, while residing in the Muslim-majority community of Malappuram.  He also continues his long involvement with India through consultative service with various agencies and through the Malabar Mission Society.

After his time in India, Dr Miller served for 17 years as academic dean and a faculty member in religious studies at Luther College at the University of Regina. He was a key founder in the development of the religious studies program at the University of Regina, as well as the Summer Centre for International Languages.  He served as National Secretary of the Shastri Indo-Canadian Institute, and directed CIDA-funded projects.  He was granted the University of Regina Alumni Association Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching in 1993, and received the title Professor Emeritus upon his retirement.

In recent years, Dr Miller has become one of the most internationally renowned experts on Christian-Muslim relations.  He spent six years in St Paul, Minnesota, where he established a graduate program in Islamic studies at Luther Seminary. He has twice been a visiting scholar at Harvard University, and for a decade (1992-2002) he was head of the Christian-Muslim Dialogue Program of the Lutheran World Federation, which placed him in conversation with Muslims in several nations. He continues his academic and public service work in his retirement. 

Dr Miller is the author or co-author of several books, and has published many book chapters and articles in the fields of Islamic studies, India studies, missiology, Christian-Muslim relations, and theology. His academic work includes the supervision of more than 40 graduate students.  He is a widely sought-after lecturer.

Dr Miller has traveled extensively and is frequently called upon to give lectures in various forms around the world.  Notably, he was instrumental in originating the Luther Lecture distinguished speaker series, celebrating its 35th anniversary here tonight.  For these many reasons, Luther College is extremely honoured to welcome Dr Roland Miller as its 35th Luther Lecturer.